Resume-Writing Professional Training
Professional resume writing training is offered informally through several resume writing companies. Unlike the medical or legal fields, there is no federal or state body that regulates professional resume writing. Private organizations such as the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches and National Resume Writers' Association offer certification
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Certified Professional Resume Writer
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Most people are unaware of any certification for resume writers, and most resume writing companies do not require certification for their employees. While people would only hire a lawyer in good standing with the state bar, this is not the case with resume writers. The first organization that became known to certify resume writers was the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches in 1990. You must pay $225 (as of 2010) and send in the Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) Test Application via email. The association will send you a study guide to help you prepare for the four-part test.
The CPRW Test
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Within one year of application, schedule a date to receive the test by email. You have two hours to complete the first three parts of the test and send it back. These sections consist of a multiple-choice test of your knowledge of the resume writing industry, command of grammar, spelling, and proofreading as well as essay questions to test construction. The final section is due three days from the beginning of the test. It consists of a fictional client's resume and information, from which you construct a cover letter and resume. The exam is sent to three members of the association's Certification Committee, who grade the test. Once you pass the test, you receive a certificate and are considered a CPRW.
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Continuing Education
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Some organizations not only require a test, but continuing education. The National Resume Writers' Association, which grants National Certified Resume Writer (NCRW) certification, requires writers to submit a sample resume and cover letter, graded by two members of the Certification Commission. If the work reflects NCRW standards, the member can take the test, graded by a team of three NCRWs. Once a writer becomes NCRW certified, he must renew the certificate every three years through approved tests or by submitting current work. Certification as a Certified Advanced Resume Writer from Career Directors International (CARW) must be renewed every two years through resume-related continuing education units, which can include articles published on resume writing, employment-related book reviews or resume-related community service.
Learn By Doing
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One of the most effective ways to train to write resumes is to be hired by a resume-writing company. Most companies have their own standards for what a perfect resume ought to look like. They train you to take information from the client and produce a high-quality product. As you gain experience, you handle diverse career fields. Several organizations look at professional work you have done in consideration of granting you certifications, such as Certified Expert Resume Writer (from Career Directors International) or Master Resume Writer (from Career Management Alliance).
Training Programs
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Some organizations provide resume training that can be used for a profession. The New York National Guard provides a four-hour workshop for National Guardsmen to write federal resumes. They go through the class to learn about proper text and format. Upon completion, members should have the skills to write a high quality federal resume and be hired by a company that offers these services. Course completion does not bestow any official certification or guarantee a job.
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